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How to paint doors and window frames (outdoor)

Getting someone else to do a job for you can be costly. But with the right approach you can do a lot by yourself. You’ll save time and money by using the handy step-by-step instructions that you’ll find on the SKIL website. These step-by-step instructions are divided into categories relating to the different kinds of jobs in and around the home, and give you clear, A to Z explanations.

Just click on one of our step-by-step instructions and you’ll be able to get started right away!

  1. Preparation

    To paint over doors and window frames that have already been painted, you should first roughen the surface with a piece of fine sandpaper or a wire brush. This should be enough to ensure good adhesion of the new coat. It’s a good idea to make everything clean and greases-free, including hard-to-reach places. The best way to do this is to use a mixture of water, detergent and ammonia. Take care to avoid scratching the glass, as this can’t be repaired later.

  2. The present condition of your paintwork

    The water in acrylic paint can sometimes lead to softening of the surface to be painted. This in turn can cause flaking or bubbles in the paint. So it’s a good idea when using acrylic paint to first test a small area of the door or window frame. Then wait a few hours. If there is no flaking or bubbles, then it’s safe to continue using acrylic paint. In older houses you’ll often find that putty has been used to fix the windows in place. Check that the glass is secure, and repair or replace it if there are any cracks.

  3. Condition of older paint layers

    Check the condition of the existing paintwork. You can test if this is flaking or crumbling as described in step 2. But now apply 2 strips of tape, and after 3 days take a sharp a paper clip and make a deep scratch on a test area. Stick a strong piece of tape over the scratch and remove it quickly. Check if there is a lot of flaking of the surface. If this is the case, the existing paint layer won’t bond strongly enough. That means you’ll have to switch over to using alkyd (solvent-based) paint. This gives better coverage if the surface is powdery.

  4. Overlap to protect from moisture

    The method used for painting outdoor window frames and doors is nearly the same as for indoor window frames and doors. The only difference is that when you’re painting outdoor windows and doors you should overlap the glass by a few millimeters. This will prevent the entry of moisture. If you’re using putty, this can lead to cracks. The best time for outdoor paintwork is from mid-April to mid-October.
    Note: be sure you don’t paint in strong sunshine; this will cause the paint to dry too quickly which doesn’t give an attractive result.

  5. Guttering and gutter boards

    Of course the kind of material used for guttering and gutter boards is an important factor in the working method – for example Trespa or other laminated boards, hardboard, wood, steel or PVC. Check which kind of paint has been used for the guttering. Old paint coats can be removed with a scraper or paint stripper. If the guttering is made of galvanized metal, don’t scrape it because that can lead to corrosion. If there are bubbles in the old paint coat because of the paint stripper, and this can’t be removed any further, you’ll have to clean it off manually with a scraper. Don’t wait too long before scraping, because if the paint stripper starts to dry you’ll have to start all over again. Then clean the wood with water, and after drying first apply a new layer of undercoat followed by a finishing coat. See also the step-by-step instructions for ‘Different kinds of paint and varnish’.

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How to paint doors and window frames (outdoor)

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